Othello - So a persistent undercard fighter in the UFC has 10 fights and he can retire for life? Seriously Shamrock?? I wonder how many NFL players making the league minimum can play a couple seasons then retire for life? Or MLB,NHL..... any professional sport for that matter.

IDK why people insist on making blanket statements when it comes to UFC pay and the people it effects.

Isn't the league minimum still like six figures?

500k a year min for NFL.

Not possible for the UFC to do...that is just reality. They are not the NFL.

I keep seeing things like NHL, NFL, MLB...crap like that. The entry level UFC fighter is never going to make a 500K minimum but just for arguements sake lets take a look at something...

I believe the UFC currently has around 600 fighters on contract... You want to pay a min. of $500,000 per year to the bottom 50% so there is $150 million right there. Then say the top 40% make $800K a year. That is another $192 million per year. Since everyone believes the people near the top deserve Mayweather money, then say the top 10% make 20 million a fight which accounts for another 1.2 billion dollars for them..

Payroll for UFC fighters- $1,542,000,000Now they have to pay medical which would be at least $18K per fighter/per year. ($10,800,000)Then they are supposed to offer 401K/Retirement...how much? Lets say 8% of the wages. ($123,360,000)

You are talking nearly 1.7 Billion Dollars and it hasn't even scratched the surface. The UFC still has to pay for travel, promotion of all kinds (TV, Radio, Appearances, Posters, etc..), salary of all of the people that make this stuff possible on a day to day, rentals for all properties, venues, and many...many other expenses. Then on top of all of that they are supposed to drop the price of PPV's because people bitch because it is too much money.

So the UFC is anywhere from 400-500 million in PPV Revenue per year. People expect them to pay out 2-3 billion a year in expenses, and at the same time cut the PPV cost down. Does anyone else see a problem with this?

lol you go from 6 & 6 to 1/2 a million a year.dana compared the two ,so dont blame us.ufc pays about 15% from the figures they gave.all of the big 3 pay about 51% of the revenue to the players. no matter how you slice it,i would rather be on a reality tv show.oh wait they have some guys on a show and dont pay them shit.

This man gets it. Why the dude bothered to do calculations on paying fighters a minimum of $500k when the entry level is $6K, or just over 1% of that is beyond me. Use retarded numbers for your calculations and you'll get a retarded result.

Because nfl league min is 500k, like i was saying.

Yea but the UFC is never going to offer $500K. $100k would be more than reasonable and easily affordable.

Am I the only one that has a problem with a UFC fighter that fought in a main event title fight ppv getting $12K in salary?? The chick can't afford furniture for fucks sake people. WAKE THE FUCK UP!

Just cos Dana is cool on his videos doesn't mean he's no raping the fighters when it comes to pay. You'd prolly be in a good mood all the time too of you were the one with unlimited funds generated by the fighters who got jack shit in return. Where do you think Dana's personal millions come from guys? The UFC! The guy didn't have two nickels to rub together before the UFC. Good for him but PAY THE FIGHTERS FAIR. Or if you really want us to believe you are, disclose it instead of trying to imply it with shady backroom bonuses - what is this, the fucking 1920's?!

You do understand that i stated that 500k min is too much right? And you also understand that i in no way shape or form stated that the ufc should pay out 500k min to all fighters. So you and jerodR need to slow your roles and stop putting words in my mouth.

Also, going on a tyrade about 500k a year min salary when no one else in the thread has said the ufc should pay that makes you both look dumb. They asked what the nfl minimum was, that was all.

Chavez Jr vs Martinez Sells 475,000 on PPVSo he pulls 475k, and makes 3 million. When does a fucking UFC fight card even spend 3 million in fighter pay?

GSP himself said he makes over 5 million a fight... a direct quote. Just because you're to dumb to understand that not all UFC fighters pay is disclosed doesn't mean it isn't happening.

Thank you... People are just pissed off that they don't know what the fighters make. UFC fighters are allowed to tell people exactly what they make if they want to. As you said.. GSP is making over 5 million a fight, so obviously Anderson Silva makes more than 200k.

Othello - So a persistent undercard fighter in the UFC has 10 fights and he can retire for life? Seriously Shamrock?? I wonder how many NFL players making the league minimum can play a couple seasons then retire for life? Or MLB,NHL..... any professional sport for that matter.

IDK why people insist on making blanket statements when it comes to UFC pay and the people it effects.

Isn't the league minimum still like six figures?

500k a year min for NFL.

Not possible for the UFC to do...that is just reality. They are not the NFL.

I keep seeing things like NHL, NFL, MLB...crap like that. The entry level UFC fighter is never going to make a 500K minimum but just for arguements sake lets take a look at something...

I believe the UFC currently has around 600 fighters on contract... You want to pay a min. of $500,000 per year to the bottom 50% so there is $150 million right there. Then say the top 40% make $800K a year. That is another $192 million per year. Since everyone believes the people near the top deserve Mayweather money, then say the top 10% make 20 million a fight which accounts for another 1.2 billion dollars for them..

Payroll for UFC fighters- $1,542,000,000Now they have to pay medical which would be at least $18K per fighter/per year. ($10,800,000)Then they are supposed to offer 401K/Retirement...how much? Lets say 8% of the wages. ($123,360,000)

You are talking nearly 1.7 Billion Dollars and it hasn't even scratched the surface. The UFC still has to pay for travel, promotion of all kinds (TV, Radio, Appearances, Posters, etc..), salary of all of the people that make this stuff possible on a day to day, rentals for all properties, venues, and many...many other expenses. Then on top of all of that they are supposed to drop the price of PPV's because people bitch because it is too much money.

So the UFC is anywhere from 400-500 million in PPV Revenue per year. People expect them to pay out 2-3 billion a year in expenses, and at the same time cut the PPV cost down. Does anyone else see a problem with this?

lol you go from 6 & 6 to 1/2 a million a year.dana compared the two ,so dont blame us.ufc pays about 15% from the figures they gave.all of the big 3 pay about 51% of the revenue to the players. no matter how you slice it,i would rather be on a reality tv show.oh wait they have some guys on a show and dont pay them shit.

This man gets it. Why the dude bothered to do calculations on paying fighters a minimum of $500k when the entry level is $6K, or just over 1% of that is beyond me. Use retarded numbers for your calculations and you'll get a retarded result.

Because nfl league min is 500k, like i was saying.

Yea but the UFC is never going to offer $500K. $100k would be more than reasonable and easily affordable.

Am I the only one that has a problem with a UFC fighter that fought in a main event title fight ppv getting $12K in salary?? The chick can't afford furniture for fucks sake people. WAKE THE FUCK UP!

Just cos Dana is cool on his videos doesn't mean he's no raping the fighters when it comes to pay. You'd prolly be in a good mood all the time too of you were the one with unlimited funds generated by the fighters who got jack shit in return. Where do you think Dana's personal millions come from guys? The UFC! The guy didn't have two nickels to rub together before the UFC. Good for him but PAY THE FIGHTERS FAIR. Or if you really want us to believe you are, disclose it instead of trying to imply it with shady backroom bonuses - what is this, the fucking 1920's?!

You do understand that i stated that 500k min is too much right? And you also understand that i in no way shape or form stated that the ufc should pay out 500k min to all fighters. So you and jerodR need to slow your roles and stop putting words in my mouth.

Also, going on a tyrade about 500k a year min salary when no one else in the thread has said the ufc should pay that makes you both look dumb. They asked what the nfl minimum was, that was all.

Let me just say straight up that I am sorry...seriously. I did not mean to imply or put words in your mouth. I just used the numbers for arguements sake for those that thought the UFC should be on par with NFL for pay. I know that 500K min is too much and it was not my intent to put words in your mouth. If that is the way it came across then I am sorry.

FYI- Just trying to have a debate here, but in no way, shape, or form am I really worked up over any of this stuff. I don't take it personally.

I just think that everyone seems to be so one sided. Honestly I don't know what all of the figures are, and I don't know if the UFC is actually underpaying the fighters. All anyone can do is speculate and the stuff that has been written have pretty much all stated that the UFC is actually about on par for pay in terms of profits. They could possibly stand to pay a little more, but nothing crazy.

What I do know is that there are a hell of alot more expenses to run the UFC or any other business than what people seem to believe on the forums. Other organizations have come in and tried to pay top dollar for fighters and failed. Obviously the UFC is doing something right because not only have they been able to slowly increase the fighter pay, but they have been able to see a great deal of growth themselves which is a good thing for all fighters. I just don't think they are nearly as much of a bad guy as people would like to believe.

It's cool. I just dont like being lynched for stating a fact and such. You may not but since i am known to be vehemently anti-zuffa the trolls and clueless people will pile on.

On a positive note, you do agree with me that the fighters who have made it to the ufc are the pinnacle of the sport and should be focusing 100% on that correct?

I understand.

Yes, I do agree with you on that without question. The biggest issue is that people will never really know how much these lower fighters make in total unless a fighter steps up and says something. There have only been a few that have commented on it and all of them seemed happy and were paid much more than the base.

The forum is always hard... Sometimes it is tough to switch gears from people complaining about cards, and wanting to stream PPV's to people then complaining that fighters don't make enough. If people think fighters should make more then at the very least they should help support those fighters they like through PPV's and merchandise regardless of the organization. What I hate is when people complain about the lack of fighter pay, but then go an stream PPV's or refuse to ever pay for one. Where do they think the pay comes from?

JerodR - If you really think that Liz only made 7K for that fight then you don't even belong to be a part of the conversation...

I dont give a shit about backroom crap, that is another shady practice

Shady to who? You? Nobody gives a crap what you think. The fighters are given bonus's for doing a great job. Yeah, how shady is that to pay a fighter above and beyond the original contract they signed up for! I can't believe they actually give people MORE MONEY than they agreed to... The UFC should be ashamed.

While we are shaming people lets examine your "Boxers Make Millions" comments, and that an entry level UFC fighter should make $100,000 per year. Well, we don't know how much they actually bring home because of the bonuses, but since you only want to focus on the guaranteed rate lets take a look at how great boxing is.

*****I agree, maybe UFC should be alot more like boxing. They would save alot of money! People take a couple of top guys out of boxing and think everyone makes that kind of money but that is far from reality. If anything the UFC is more balanced. They pay the upper guys less so that they can pay the lower guys more. People will always want more money as in any profession, however the UFC is FAR from taking advantange of its fighters.*****

Bottom line, the majority of UFC fighters are severely underpaid. They train year round, to have maybe 3-4 fights. The mid tier guys make 10 to show 10 to win, that isn't a lot of money when you have to prepare, pay trainers, travel, eat healthy, etc..

I understand how capitalism works and many of these guys would fight for free and be "ok" with it. However, that doesn't make it right. There needs to be organizational minimums once you make it in the UFC. The UFC has been extremely profitable and sadly, a very small fraction has made its way into the pockets of the fighter.

jcblass - Bottom line, the majority of UFC fighters are severely underpaid. They train year round, to have maybe 3-4 fights. The mid tier guys make 10 to show 10 to win, that isn't a lot of money when you have to prepare, pay trainers, travel, eat healthy, etc..

I understand how capitalism works and many of these guys would fight for free and be "ok" with it. However, that doesn't make it right. There needs to be organizational minimums once you make it in the UFC. The UFC has been extremely profitable and sadly, a very small fraction has made its way into the pockets of the fighter.

Mid tier make 10+10? Who?Gleason Tibau makes 27+27. Most, not all, guys start at 8+8 for their first UFC bout.

Top guys make good money because of PPV buys, it would be great if a PPV cut was distributed down the card, but that is not the system and the UFC still pays more than Bellator, a company owned by a billion dollar company.

Those 100,000 tournaments? That is 100K over three fights. So the winner is still averaging less, per fight, than Tibau.

And as far as training expenses go, that is generally covered by sponsorship money. Many mid tier guys makes at least 20k, per fight, from sponsors.

And the UFC pays for travel and lodging for fights.

Again, it would be great to see fighters make more, but it is not as though the UFC is making a 75% profit. Folks seem to forget that the UFC also pays all promotional and production costs.

It's cool. I just dont like being lynched for stating a fact and such. You may not but since i am known to be vehemently anti-zuffa the trolls and clueless people will pile on.

On a positive note, you do agree with me that the fighters who have made it to the ufc are the pinnacle of the sport and should be focusing 100% on that correct?

You've been around the sport a long time and have a lot more intimate knowledge of fighters and actual pay. I'm curious to know what you think a Facebook prelim fighter in the UFC should be getting paid? Just a young fighter with no name brand bargaining power and the potential to fight 4 times a year, barring unforeseen circumstances like injuries et al.

I dont know tbh. I'm man enough to admit that. I've seen how zuffa is. I dont know what should be done far as pay, but i do believe once you make it to the ufc you should be compensated by zuffa to afford you the ability to be a fulltime fighter.

Everyone talks about how the guys on the prelims dont draw people.. Thing is, that's where you get future stars and fan favorites. Once you're at the ufc you're the best of the best in mma(now). All of them should be treated like that.

56sav - If Zuffa doesn't want to be criticized they shouldn't buy up rival organizations just to let them die, or have inter-organizational events IMO. They have a monopoly on the fight game. UFC needs a fighter's union.

They have a monopoly on the fight game.

The government disagrees:)

Cindy

You might want to look at what the FTC actually investigated Cindy-O, and what action they took.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition has been conducting a nonpublic investigation to determine whether Zuffa, LLC’s acquisition of Explosion Entertainment, LLC may violate Section 7 of the Clayton Act or Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Upon further review of this matter, it now appears that no further action is warranted by the Commission at this time. Accordingly, the investigation has been closed. This action is not to be construed as a determination that a violation may not have occurred, just as the pendency of an investigation should not be construed as a determination that a violation has occurred. The Commission reserves the right to take such further action as the public interest may require.

FloridaStriker - If MMA was ran like boxing, which is what all the whining about money comes from. MMA would of already been dead and gone. Its a spectical. There's only so much interest youre going to get for two grown men punching each other in the face. Without all the bells and whistles. MMA is a none sport. Cant expect a fighter, a guy who punches people in the face for a living, to understand anything that extends beyond that

Dana did it right. The people on the bottom end of the totem pole are always going to complain about the guys at the top. Ken is trying to justify his own bad choices by placing blame on Dana and company. He was bad with money. And this is his bed

For once I agree with Ken. This is no news and he kept quiet about it for many years because he was getting paid. Now I guess he got nothing to lose so he blasts them. I bet its all true an accurate. Sounds like it!

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